This Day in Naval History - Aug. 07

1782 - Badge of Military Merit (Purple Heart) established.

1942 - Navy Amphibious Task Force lands Marines on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in first U.S. land offensive of World War II.

1964 - Gulf of Tonkin Resolution passed by Congress.

For more information on naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.